The City of Warren and the Parks, Recreation & Landscape Commission hosted its 2025 Civic Beautification Awards Ceremony at Breezepoint Landing Gazebo. The event recognized local homeowners, businesses, and nonprofit organizations whose dedication to maintaining and beautifying their properties has contributed to the city’s aesthetic charm and sense of community.

Commission Chair Michael Suppa welcomed guests and led the award presentations, with support from City Manager Michael Holtz. Suppa highlighted the ceremony as one of the most enjoyable and meaningful activities the commission takes part in each year.

“It’s one of the real fun things that the Parks, Recreation, and Landscape Commission gets to do every year,” Suppa said. “It’s just a real neat thing to go out and then have this celebration of some of our really great landscaping jobs that are done in the city.”

Mayor David Wortman addressed attendees and praised recipients for their hard work and civic pride.

Times Observer Photo by Monica Keller Pictured are the recipients of the plaques and signs for the Civic Beautification awards.

“The city looks wonderful. And a huge part of that is the pride and ownership of the businesses and the homes and certainly the work of Parks and Rec and the landscaping commission,” Wortman said.

“Our city doesn’t work if we don’t have a robust volunteer core. I can’t say enough about the volunteers that do so much work–and it is very much appreciated. I know it takes a huge effort, across the board, to maintain properties. I look at beautifully landscaped homes and businesses, and I’m inspired by how much time and effort it takes to really achieve a high-quality presentation. It just further enhances the city.”

This year’s event recognized nine properties: seven residential, representing each of the city’s recycling sections, one business, and one nonprofit. Each winner received a certificate, a yard sign, and a $100 gift card to Ekey’s Marketplace.

The 2025 Civic Beautification Award recipients are: Section 1: Robert and Bonnie Dinger, 1500 Madison Avenue, Section 2: Kristen Stanko, 120 Russell Street, Section 3: Patrick and Shari Jerman, 7 Redwood Street, Section 4: Leonard and Terri Imperial, 204 Alexander Street, Section 5: Diane Miller, 19 Fourth Avenue, Section 6: Joseph and Leona Castagnino, 1518 Pennsylvania Avenue W, Section 7: Amanda Fankhouser, 219 Oneida Avenue, Business: Pizza Hut, 25 Pennsylvania Avenue East and Non-Profit: Elks Lodge 223, 341 Hickory Street.

Suppa emphasized that the hard work of these property owners benefits the entire city.

“I think a lot of times when people are moving here or looking to move to a new neighborhood or looking at new houses, that’s one of the things they look for,” he said. “They look at the neighborhood and what does it look like, and how well it’s kept up. And, you know, so many people do such a great job here.”